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Wednesday,
October 2, 2019
Death
Valley from Zabriskie Point
"The
Valley Of The Shadow Of Death"
Personal Note: This morning just after 3:00 AM we returned home from our trip out west. We have a lot of catch-up as anyone knows after returning from a long trip and will resume our chaplaincy visitation tomorrow. Over the next several days we will share about our trip with photos, along with an encouragement message based on our observations.
It was only about 100
degrees when we were there, hot enough! We went to the
Visitor's Center then drove through the valley to the
lowest point, a place called Badwater Basin, the
lowest point in the western hemisphere, 282 feet below
sea level. Tourists were taking turns snapping photos
for each other, especially those of us who have not
perfected the art of selfies. It's the only time we've
ever been more than a few feet below sea level.
Personal Note: This morning just after 3:00 AM we returned home from our trip out west. We have a lot of catch-up as anyone knows after returning from a long trip and will resume our chaplaincy visitation tomorrow. Over the next several days we will share about our trip with photos, along with an encouragement message based on our observations.
Message summary:
Psalm 23 is probably the most famous chapter in the
Bible. Many of us have memorized it and we quote it
often when ministering to those going through "the
valley of the shadow of death" or when we ourselves
are going through a dark valley.
"Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm
23:4).
Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near
While
out west we drove a lot in our rental car seeking to
maximize the value of our unlimited mileage. Initially
we wanted to make the circle route around the Grand
Canyon to see the canyon as well as several famous
national parks in southern Utah. But I thought it
would be quite an experience to also go to Death
Valley, the hottest, driest and lowest place in North
America. In fact it holds the record for the hottest
place on earth with the highest ever recorded
temperature of 134 degrees F.
It was only about 100
degrees when we were there, hot enough! We went to the
Visitor's Center then drove through the valley to the
lowest point, a place called Badwater Basin, the
lowest point in the western hemisphere, 282 feet below
sea level. Tourists were taking turns snapping photos
for each other, especially those of us who have not
perfected the art of selfies. It's the only time we've
ever been more than a few feet below sea level."Death
Valley was given its forbidding name by a group of
pioneers lost here in the winter of 1849-1850. Even
though, as far as we know, only one of the group died
here, they all assumed that this valley would be their
grave. They were rescued by two of their young men,
William Lewis Manly and John Rogers, who had learned
to be scouts. As the party climbed out of the valley
over the Panamint Mountains, one of the men turned,
looked back, and said "Goodbye, Death Valley." (from
park website)
Psalm 23
is probably the most famous chapter in the Bible. Many
of us have memorized it and we quote it often when
ministering to those going through "the valley of the
shadow of death" or when we ourselves are going
through a dark valley.
David
wrote this Psalm and surely knew the experience of
walking through the valley of the shadow of death, as
many of our readers do. For some it's a long journey
of unknown length. Hopefully we have all been able to
say "Goodbye Death Valley" after God draws us aside in
the midst of our valley experience and He restores our
soul.
However
we have on our hearts several who are in the rigorous
and austere region of their valley experience, where
direction signs are scarce and water is sparse. We
were mindful and prayerful of their situation even as
we traveled in this desert location. Some of our
friends are traveling in the shadow of death.
Sometimes that shadow is very dark and it's hard to
find the light.
But
today let us consider how the verse concludes:
A
resolve: "I will fear no evil." In the
midst of fear this mindset can be very difficult to
lay hold of or to maintain. But David had a basis for
it with a promise from God that we can also have.
The
Promise: "For You are with me; Your rod and
Your staff, they comfort me." God's abiding
presence; His sustaining hand and His faithful
guidance is abundantly taught in the Scriptures. And
His comforting presence is not only there for the
Psalmist, but He is present today for you and for me.
And I
will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, *there's one thing I count on; You're the
same God who never fails and You will not fail me
now. In the waiting You're the same God who's
never late but You're working all things out. Yes,
You're working all things out so I choose to lift
You high in the lowest valley. I will bless Your
name and sing for joy even when my heart is heavy.
I will choose not to focus on the dark valley or
be distracted by its shadows. I choose to see
through the valley, past the darkness, and look
with confidence to the other side since the dark
valley is a place to go through, not a place to
reside. You will, by Your grace and goodness,
bring me through the valley and restore my soul so
that in the end I will stand in triumph on my foes
and testify to Your goodness and faithfulness.
Amen.
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, *there's one thing I count on; You're the
same God who never fails and You will not fail me
now. In the waiting You're the same God who's
never late but You're working all things out. Yes,
You're working all things out so I choose to lift
You high in the lowest valley. I will bless Your
name and sing for joy even when my heart is heavy.
I will choose not to focus on the dark valley or
be distracted by its shadows. I choose to see
through the valley, past the darkness, and look
with confidence to the other side since the dark
valley is a place to go through, not a place to
reside. You will, by Your grace and goodness,
bring me through the valley and restore my soul so
that in the end I will stand in triumph on my foes
and testify to Your goodness and faithfulness.
Amen. *The
words at the beginning of our prayer today are
adapted from the song link we present by Vertical
Worship "Yes I Will".
Badwater
Basin, Death Valley
The
lowest point in the western hemisphere.
We
hiked up the Golden Canyon trail, a slot canyon in
Death Valley.
This
coyote was walking along the long road it seemed oblivious
to our presence. intent on eating bugs on the
highway. It takes resourcefulness to survive in
Death Valley!
South
of Death Valley we visited the China Ranch Date Grove
It was
here that we drank our first Date Milkshake. It was
good and sweet!
China
Ranch Date truck
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"You
Never Let Go" Video
Matt Redman
"Yes I Will" Video Calvary Church worship team with strings. We devote this to our friends going through valleys. Includes introduction.
I, Brooksyne, was inspired by words in this song as I began to write our prayer today. Every time we sing this at church I am so moved by the message to stand firm and rejoice even in the midst of the trial we may be enduring, choosing to glorify God in it. This song will touch your heart and may help you to remember that God is glorified not only in the good things we enjoy in this life but also in the trials we endure. Romans 8:17 says that to prove that we are heirs of Christ, "we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory".
Finally Today:
On the way
back to our hotel from
Death Valley we drove
through the Red Rock
Canyon National
Conservation Area.
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